JP4114884B2 - Waterproof connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention mainly relates to a waterproof connector in which a waterproof seal member is mounted and fixed in a housing that holds a predetermined number of contacts. Specifically, the waterproof connector is waterproof to prevent rattling during mating connection with a mating connector. The present invention relates to a waterproof connector having an improved vibration resistance structure.

  Conventionally, as this type of waterproof connector, for example, a male connector is inserted so that a male terminal insertion hole of a seal member embedded in a portion corresponding to the female terminal on the end face of the fitting convex portion of the female connector (first connector) is inserted. Type connector (second connector) of a type in which a male terminal exposed on the end face of the concave portion is inserted to be fitted and connected between both terminals (see Patent Document 1), or a male connector In the form in which the two terminals are inserted and connected by inserting the male terminal that passes through the sealing member provided on the entire end surface of the mating concave portion in the female terminal of the mating convex portion end surface of the female connector. The thing of the type to perform (refer patent document 2) etc. are mentioned.

JP 2001-68204 A (paragraphs [0019] to [0021], FIG. 1) JP 2002-231374 A (paragraphs [0019] to [0023] abstract, FIG. 1)

  In any of the above-described waterproof connectors of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the structure is such that the periphery of the male terminal (each contact) is sealed by a sealing member, and a locking structure is provided when the connectors are connected to each other. Even if it is, it is necessary to have a certain degree of clearance (gap) in order to facilitate fitting connection, so that if vibration is applied from the outside, rattling occurs even in the fitting connection state. In addition, there is a problem that vibration resistance cannot be avoided, and there is a risk that adjacent contacts may be short-circuited when water enters through a gap (especially, each contact is sealed with a sealing member). However, even in the butt seal structure of Document 2, the seal member is deformed due to a change in temperature over time. There is) is problematic as well.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its technical problem is that it is waterproof with excellent vibration resistance without generating rattling even if vibration is applied from the outside in a mated connection state. The object is to provide a highly functional waterproof connector.

  According to the present invention, in the waterproof connector formed by mounting and fixing the waterproof seal member in the housing holding the predetermined number of contacts, the waterproof seal member is mated in the mating direction when mated with the mating connector. A first abutting portion that abuts against the distal end of the side housing, and a distal end of the predetermined number of mating contacts that are housed and held in the mating housing and respectively contact the predetermined number of contacts. A waterproof connector having a second contact portion that contacts and presses the predetermined number of mating contacts against the inner wall of the mating housing is obtained.

  According to the present invention, in the waterproof connector, the second abutting portion has a stepped shape, and a predetermined number of mating contacts cross the fitting direction and the fitting direction at the stepped portion. Thus, a waterproof connector that presses in the direction to be obtained is obtained.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, in any of the waterproof connectors described above, the waterproof seal member is formed by the undulating convex portion formed in the portion between the first contact portion and the second contact portion. A waterproof connector that presses the distal end portion of the side housing against the inner wall of the housing is obtained.

  In addition, according to the present invention, in any one of the above waterproof connectors, the waterproof seal member can be a waterproof connector made of an elastic material.

  In the case of the waterproof connector of the present invention, by devising the shape of the waterproof seal member mounted and fixed in the housing, the mating contact is pressed against the inner wall of the counterpart housing by the waterproof seal member in the fitted state, and The pressing of the mating housing against the inner wall of the housing is synergistically obtained at the same time in the structure and the compression effect is enhanced. As a result, the sealing function is enhanced, so that even if vibration is applied from the outside, it is extremely loose. It is difficult to cause sticking and has excellent vibration resistance, and the waterproof function is also greatly improved.

  The waterproof connector according to the best mode of the present invention has a basic structure in which a waterproof seal member is mounted and fixed in a housing holding a predetermined number of contacts. The waterproof seal member is fitted with a mating connector. The first abutting portion that abuts the tip end portion of the mating housing in the mating direction at the time of mating connection, and the tips of a predetermined number of mating contacts that are housed and held in the mating housing and contact the respective contacts. A second abutting portion that abuts the side end portion and presses each mating contact against the inner wall of the mating housing is provided.

  However, in this waterproof connector, the second contact portion of the waterproof seal member has a stepped shape, and presses each mating contact in the fitting direction and in a direction crossing the fitting direction at the stepped portion. It is preferable that the waterproof seal member is a housing in which the tip side portion of the mating housing is housed by a undulating convex portion formed in a portion between the first contact portion and the second contact portion. It is preferable if it presses against the inner wall. The waterproof seal member is more preferably made of an elastic material.

  Hereinafter, specific examples will be given and the waterproof connector of the present invention will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a basic structure of a waterproof connector (plug connector 11) according to a first embodiment of the present invention, partially broken in a fitted state with a mating connector (socket connector 21). 2 is a side sectional view showing a basic structure of the waterproof connector (plug connector 11) as a single unit. FIG. 3 shows the external structure of this waterproof connector (plug connector 11). FIG. 3 (a) is a plan view from the top surface direction, and FIG. 3 (b) is a view from the front side in the fitting direction. FIG. 4C relates to a front view, FIG. 5C relates to a side view, and FIG. 4D relates to a rear view. FIG. 4 shows an external structure of the waterproof seal member 14 provided in the housing 12 of the waterproof connector (plug connector 11). FIG. 4 (a) is a front view from the front side in the fitting direction. (B) relates to a plan view from the upper surface direction, and (c) relates to a rear view.

  Referring to each drawing, the plug connector 11 as a waterproof connector is a waterproof seal made of a rubber material having elasticity in a housing 12 holding a predetermined number (here, two for two poles) of plug contacts 13. The waterproof seal member 14 has a basic structure in which the member 14 is mounted and fixed, and the end of the mating housing 22 in the mating direction when mated with the socket connector 21 that is the mating connector. A first contact part M1 that contacts the socket contact 23 and a socket contact 23 as a predetermined number of contacts (here, two for two poles) that are housed and held in the housing 22 and contact each plug contact 13 respectively. Each socket contact 23 is accommodated in the inner wall of the housing 22 (that is, each socket contact 23 is accommodated). Pressed against the wall) that constitutes the that housing part, and and each socket contact 23 is to have a second contact portion M2 for pressing the fitting direction.

  That is, referring to the detailed structure shown in FIG. 2, the second contact portion M2 of the waterproof seal member 14 has a stepped shape, and the socket contact 23 is fitted in the stepped portion in the fitting direction. It is to be pressed in the direction intersecting (the extending direction of each socket contact 23) and its fitting direction. In addition, the waterproof seal member 14 is in a fitting connection state with the socket connector 21, and the side cross section formed in the portion between the first contact portion M1 and the second contact portion M2 is uneven. The undulating convex portion is configured to press the front end portion of the housing 22 against the inner wall of the housing 12. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the waterproof seal member 14 itself extends in a substantially round bar shape with the main body portion corresponding to the number of each plug contact 13 (two here). It has a shape that is integrally joined at the collar part of the substantially central part, and the predetermined part of the extending part that extends in a substantially round bar shape includes the collar part of the substantially central part from the back side to the front side. A through hole for inserting and mounting each plug contact 13 is provided so that the waterproof function of each plug contact 13 can be enhanced by such a structure.

  When assembling such a plug connector 11, the waterproof seal member 14 is mounted and fixed from the back side in the fitting recess formed in the housing 12 (the fitting in the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 2). The back side of the joint recess has a shape that can be mounted and fixed in accordance with the undulating shape of the waterproof seal member 14), and a hole provided at a predetermined position on the back side of the housing 12 after the waterproof seal member 14 is fixed and mounted Each plug contact 13 is inserted and mounted so as to be positioned at a predetermined position through the through hole of the waterproof seal member 14. FIGS. 3A to 3D show the state after the assembly of the plug connector 11, but on the fitting direction side of the housing 12, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (c), and 3 (d) in terms of appearance from the back side, the waterproof seal member 14 is exposed in the opening indicating the inside. The bent portion is exposed for mounting on a printed circuit board or the like, which is a connection object of each plug contact 13. As described above, the plug connector 11 has a structure in which the waterproof seal member 14 is mounted and fixed on the back side of the fitting recess in the housing 12, and thus can be provided with a sealing function as a small structure without increasing the overall size. It is like that.

  On the other hand, the socket connector 21 uses a socket contact 23 into which each plug contact 13 of the plug connector 11 is inserted and brought into contact with each other, and the same number of electric wires 26 as an elastic material in advance at the tip side portion of each electric wire 26. The electric wire seal member 25 that works as a waterproof plug such as a rubber seal is passed through, and the conductive wire portion where the cover of each electric wire 26 is peeled off is connected and fixed to the middle portion of each socket contact 23 by soldering or pressure welding. In addition, a predetermined range of the covering region of each electric wire 26 that becomes the caulking fixing portion for each electric wire 26 in each socket contact 23 is covered with the electric wire sealing member 25, and the caulking fixing portion is caulked and fixed to couple the electric wires. After mounting and fixing the member at a predetermined position in the housing 22, each electric wire 26 is somewhat The socket contact 23 is pulled in the direction so that each socket contact 23 is locked and positioned at a predetermined position, and the retainer 24 is assembled and fitted to the housing 22 from the outside of the portion closer to the wire seal member 25 side. Thus, the back side opposite to the fitting direction side has a strong waterproof structure.

  When the plug connector 11 and the socket connector 21 having such a waterproof structure are fitted and connected to each other, the plug connector 11 is devised in the shape of the waterproof seal member 14 that is mounted and fixed in the housing 12. Except for the first contact portion M1 of the seal member 14 coming into contact with the distal end portion in the fitting direction of the housing 22, the second contact portion M2 is connected to the distal end portion in the fitting direction of each socket contact 23. The projections formed between the first contact portion M1 and the second contact portion M2 are in contact with each other and act so as to press each socket contact 23 against the inner wall of the housing 22. Since it has a structure that works so as to press the tip side portion in the fitting direction against the inner wall of the housing 12, each socket connector by the waterproof seal member 14 is in the fitted connection state. After pressing the socket 23 against the inner wall of the housing 22 and the pressing of the housing 22 against the inner wall of the housing 12 at the same time synergistically on the structure to enhance the compression effect, the socket connector 21 is fitted and locked. In addition, the play of each socket contact 23 is effectively prevented, and the movement (movement) due to the push-back is prevented and the socket contact 23 is firmly fixed.

  As a result, the plug connector 11 has an improved sealing function on the basic structure in a mated connection state with the socket connector 21, and is extremely resistant to rattling even when vibration is applied from the outside of the mating connector. As well as being excellent in vibration, it is difficult for deformation over time, and the waterproof function is also greatly improved.

  By the way, the waterproof seal member 14 has elasticity, so that its shape is somewhat different before and after the fitting connection. In the state before the mating connection, as shown in FIG. 2, the flange portion having the first contact portion M1 has a relatively low height on the surface perpendicular to the axis of each plug contact 13 and Although the width dimension of each plug contact 13 in the extending direction of the two contact portions M2 is relatively long, the first contact portion M1 is provided in the state after the fitting connection as shown in FIG. The flange portion is deformed so as to be relatively tall on a surface perpendicular to the axis of each plug contact 13, and the width dimension in the extending direction of each plug contact 13 in the second contact portion M2 is also relatively long. Deform to shorten. That is, when the plug connector 11 and the socket connector 21 are fitted and connected, the entire waterproof seal member 14 is compressed in the fitting direction, and in a plane direction perpendicular to the fitting direction (extending direction of each socket contact 23). Since it is deformed so as to extend in the opposite direction, all of the sealing function in the back portion in the fitting direction in the housing 12, the sealing function between the inner wall of the housing 12 and the outer wall of the housing 22, and the sealing function for each plug contact 13 are all. Since the sealing function on the back side of the socket connector 21 is very high, the waterproof effect when the plug connector 11 and the socket connector 21 are connected to each other is strong.

  FIG. 5 shows a state of fitting connection of the socket connector 21 to the plug connector 11 described above, and an electric wire coupling member including each socket contact 23 provided in the socket connector 21 (the same applies to the following, but as described above, the socket contact 23 is a perspective view showing the socket connector 21 in a state where the electric wire 26 connected to the electric power supply 23 and the electric wire sealing member 25 covering the electric wire 26 and the electric wire sealing member 25 are removed), and FIG. FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing a broken perspective view in which the lateral direction is broken and the inside is exposed. Here, the fitting structure is not visible from the external structure on the surface shown in FIG. 5 (a). However, referring to FIG. 5 (b), in the fitting recess of the housing 12 as described above. The first abutting portion M1 of the waterproof seal member 14 that is mounted and fixed abuts on the end of the housing 22 in the fitting direction, and the first abutting portion M1 and the second abutting portion M2. It is shown that the convex portions formed therebetween work to press the front end side portion of the housing 22 in the fitting direction against the inner wall of the housing 12.

  FIG. 6 shows a state of fitting connection of the socket connector 21 to the plug connector 11 described above, with the electric wire coupling member including each socket contact 23 provided in the socket connector 21 being partially broken in the side surface direction. FIG. 2A is a cutaway perspective view showing the socket connector 21 from the front side, and FIG. 2B is a cutaway perspective view of the plug connector 11 from the front side. This relates to a broken perspective view. Here, referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the step of the second contact portion M2 in the waterproof seal member 14 mounted and fixed in the fitting recess of the housing 12 as described above. The portion abuts against the end of the socket contact 23 in the fitting direction, and acts to press each socket contact 23 against the inner wall of the housing 22. Specifically, each socket contact 23 is fitted in the fitting direction. And a mode that it presses in the direction which cross | intersects the fitting direction is shown.

  Hereinafter, the external structure of each part provided in the above-described plug connector 11 will be described in detail.

  7A and 7B are perspective views showing the appearance of the housing 12 provided in the plug connector 11. FIG. 7A shows the fitting direction, and FIG. 7B shows the back direction. Here, the external appearance of the housing 12 is shown. To explain the details, the waterproof seal member 14 is mounted and fixed in the fitting direction shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a state in which a fitting recess formed for guiding and inserting 22 is an opening, and for inserting each plug contact 13 at a predetermined position in the back direction shown in FIG. 7B. The mode that the hole was provided is shown.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing the appearance of the plug contact 13 provided in the plug connector 11. FIG. 8A shows the fitting direction, and FIG. 8B shows the back direction. Here, referring to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, there are other parts for positioning with respect to the waterproof seal member 14 and the housing 12 at predetermined positions on the back side extending in the fitting direction of the plug contacts 13. It shows a state in which a protruding portion having a shape that protrudes gradually outward from the portion is formed. In this connection, the portion of the plug contact 13 that protrudes most outwardly has a protruding shape when the distal end side in the fitting direction is inserted into the through hole of the waterproof seal member 14 through the hole of the housing 12. Correspondingly, it is abutted and locked in a recess formed in the hole of the housing 12 so as to be positioned.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views showing the outer appearance of the waterproof seal member 14 provided in the plug connector 11. FIG. 9A shows the fitting direction, and FIG. 9B shows the back direction. Here, the external appearance of the waterproof sealing member 14 described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C is shown, and in detail, in the fitting direction shown in FIG. The exposed surface in the fitting direction of the flange portion is the first abutting portion M1, and the step portion formed on the protruding portion on the distal end side in the fitting direction in the extending portion of the substantially round bar shape. The two contact surfaces M2 are the second contact portions M2, and each plug contact 13 is fitted at a predetermined position on the flat surface of the substantially round bar-like extension portion separated from the portion protruding at the front end side in the fitting direction. The mode that the through-hole with respect to the direction front end side was provided is shown. In the rear direction shown in FIG. 9B, the fitting direction side portion of the protruding portion formed in each plug contact 13 can be inserted and locked at a predetermined position on the flat surface of the substantially round bar-like extension portion. Fig. 6 shows a state in which the diameter of the through hole is slightly larger than that in the fitting direction.

  In the case of the plug connector 11 according to the first embodiment described above (the same applies to the socket connector 21), two plug contacts 13 (two socket contacts 23 in the case of the socket connector 21) are provided for two poles. However, the waterproof connector according to the present invention is not limited to the form described in the first embodiment, because each part can be modified in order to obtain a multipolar structure having three or more poles.

It is side surface sectional drawing which fractured | ruptured and showed the basic structure of the waterproof connector which concerns on Example 1 of this invention in the fitting state with the other party connector. It is side surface sectional drawing which showed the basic structure with the single body of the waterproof connector which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B show the external structure of the waterproof connector shown in FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan view from the top surface direction, FIG. 2B is a front view from the front side in the mating direction, and FIG. (D) relates to a rear view. 3A and 3B show the external structure of a waterproof seal member provided in the housing of the waterproof connector shown in FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 3A is a front view from the front side in the fitting direction, and FIG. (C) relates to the rear view. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the mating connection of the mating connector with respect to the waterproof connector illustrated in FIG. 3 with the mating connector in front as a state where the wire coupling member including the socket contact provided in the mating connector is removed; (A) relates to an overall perspective view, and (b) relates to a broken perspective view in which the lateral direction is broken to reveal the inside. FIG. 3 shows a state of fitting connection of the mating connector to the waterproof connector shown in FIG. 3, with the wire coupling member including the socket contact provided in the mating connector being mounted, with the side direction partially broken and the inside exposed. FIG. 4A is a cut perspective view from the direction with the mating connector in front, and FIG. 4B is a cut perspective view from the direction with the waterproof connector in front. It is the perspective view which showed the external appearance of the housing with which the waterproof connector shown in FIG. 3 was equipped, (a) is related with a fitting direction, (b) is related with a back direction. It is the perspective view which showed the external appearance of the plug contact with which the waterproof connector shown in FIG. 3 was equipped, (a) is a thing regarding a fitting direction, (b) is a thing regarding a back direction. It is the perspective view which showed the external appearance of the waterproof sealing member with which the waterproof connector shown in FIG. 3 was equipped, (a) is a thing regarding a fitting direction, (b) is a thing regarding a back direction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Plug connector 12, 22 Housing 13 Plug contact 14 Waterproof seal member 21 Socket connector 23 Socket contact 24 Retainer 25 Wire seal member 26 Electric wire

Claims (4)

  The waterproof connector is formed by mounting and fixing a waterproof seal member in a housing holding a predetermined number of contacts, and the waterproof seal member is connected to the distal end side of the mating housing in the mating direction when mated with the mating connector. A first abutting portion that abuts against the end portion, and abutting with a tip side end portion of a predetermined number of mating contacts that are housed and held in the mating housing and respectively contact the predetermined number of contacts; A waterproof connector comprising a second contact portion that presses a predetermined number of mating contacts against the inner wall of the mating housing.   2. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein the second contact portion has a stepped shape, and the predetermined number of mating contacts intersect the fitting direction and the fitting direction at the stepped portion. A waterproof connector characterized by pressing in the direction.   3. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof seal member is formed by an undulating convex portion formed in a portion between the first contact portion and the second contact portion. A waterproof connector, wherein a front end portion of a housing is pressed against an inner wall of the housing. The waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof seal member is made of an elastic material.

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